A New Path

I love the beginning
of a new year. I spend extra time with the Lord, meditating on His word and
allowing Him to fill me in on His plans for me for the new year.
I mentioned in my
one word post that I thought maybe God was giving me the word “love”
because I’d been stumbling upon those scriptures often. But He didn’t. He gave
me “joy.”
During these last
few days, I’ve been praying about this year and what it hold for me
spiritually, emotionally, physically, financially. I hope you’re praying about
these things as well.
As I was chatting
with a dear friend and critique partner of mine, Michelle Massaro, she
encouraged me to step out and do something new.
Something that really hadn’t crossed my mind. But after she said it, it stuck
with me. And I began praying about this new path.
On Friday, I kept
going back to the Proverbs 31 woman. She used what she knew, sewing, to help
provide income for her family. She didn’t have idle hands.
On Sunday, God
reminded me of something He’d shared awhile back about my purpose–about what
fulfills me most.
Equipping
the  Saints.
That’s why I
restructured my blog. I want to be able to do what I love most. In everything I
do.
And then I read a
sermon by John Piper about God’s will. He talked about meditating on the word
and knowing it, so when it comes time to discern God’s will we can line up what
we think we might need to do based on scripture.
Proverbs 31.
I prayed and
finished my study time, but before I closed my Bible, I read this verse.
“Let
no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” 1 Corinthians
10:24
If you’ll look to
the sidebar, under PAGES, you’ll see a new one! As of today, I’m offering a
service to others.
Paid critiques and
edits. I think this comes at a great time,
especially for Christian writers who plan to enter the Genesis contest soon.
I’d love to help you make those pages shine!
So give the page a
look and please feel free to share the Critiquing/Editing page on Facebook and
Twitter! I’d love to get the word out. 

Here are a couple endorsements, but there are more on the actual page!

“I was just a newbie writer when Jessica took me under her wing. She critiqued the first 50 pages of my first manuscript, and wow–she provided me with some very eye-opening comments. The best thing about her critique is that I never, ever felt dumb. She offered both encouragement and constructive criticism, but the criticism never came across as negative. Also, she clearly stated her thoughts and gave actual suggestions for improvement. My manuscript and my writing are better because of Jessica and her heart for other writers.” ~Linsdsay Harrel
“Even editors needs editors, and that’s what Jessica Patch is for me. She is the most prolific writer I know, but she’s also got a keen eye for a wide range of edits. I rely heavily on her to help me craft balanced characters with smooth arcs. She has the uncanny ability to spot and draw out subtle spiritual threads, which is invaluable to the writer of Christian fiction needing help beefing up a puny manuscript. She has a gift, and I won’t submit another manuscripts anywhere unless it’s passed under her red pen first.”
–April W Gardner, award-winning author and editor for Astraea Press, represented by Karen Ball of the Steve Laube Agency
If you are
interested, please send me an email at: jessicaropatch(at)gmail(dot)com
Have a great weekend
and please pray for me!
Based on 1 Corinthians 10:24 above, what is one thing
you can do today to make this verse real in your life?
*photocredit for snowy trees with light: freedigitalphotos/papaija2008
*photocredit for way in the lake: freedigitialphotos/EvgeniDinev
*photocredit for road in the park: freedigitalphotos/coward_lion

16 thoughts on “A New Path

  1. You will be very good at this, Jessica. I know that you have helped me tremendously with content edits on MINDSPEAK and questioning me in a way that forced me to alter my words to say what the story needed desperately! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, for that!

     
     
  2. Care for my children…put aside a bit more of the "me" time to spend with them. Yes, I need "me" time, but lately it's becoming "All me, all day, everyday, and if you interrupt me, I'll growl."

     
     
  3. Yay, this is so awesome!! Good for you…stepping out into something new and fun and generous. I love it!

    I think I can put that verse into work today at my day job. It's so easy to go through the day thinking about what I need to accomplish, what tasks I need to check off my to-do list. But I've got coworkers around me who are just as busy and overwhelmed…I can look for ways to help lighten their load.

     
     
  4. Yay! So excited to see how this goes for you. 🙂 You'll be great, as I've already said in my endorsement. 😉

     
     
  5. Congrats, Jessica! I think that's a wonderful new path and I hope you are blessed with it!

     
     
  6. I think it's awesome that you've decided to offer this. Way to go, Jess!

     
     
  7. Yay!!! I know you're going to bless and enrich any manuscript that comes your way. I'm so glad God led you to this!!

     
     
  8. With your insight into Scripture and beautiful writing, you will be GREAT in this new adventure, Jess! Proverbs 31 woman…LOOK OUT. 🙂

     
     
  9. Congrats for having the courage and boldness to go after God's will! I will be praying for you as you venture into this new role. I've often thought about the Proverbs 31 woman and she gives me so much hope. When I decided to go after publication it was because I looked around at the skills I had and wanted to use them, just as the Proverbs 31 woman used hers. I also love the 1 Corinthians verse. I believed if we all lived this verse, there would be no need in the world. So cool, Jess!

     
     
  10. Thanks, everyone! I appreciate your support through kind words, tweets, facebook shares! Ya'll rock! 🙂

     
     
  11. You go, girl! I'm excited for you. 🙂

     
     
  12. Great idea!!! I just might have to take you up on your offer.

    Will be praying for you!

     
     
  13. I hope this turns out to be both profitable and fulfilling.

     
     
  14. This is a fabulous idea. I think you will be great at it.

     
     
  15. I love that you base your decisions on scripture and what God is telling you. Your heart just makes me SMILE!

     
     
  16. Congratulations on your new venture, Jessica! Sorry it's been a while since I stopped by.

    That's so crazy you were thinking about "love" and "joy" for your words this year… those were mine last year! I wrote a post on my blog about it called "It's All in the Details." Basically, I had the same words keep popping up too!

     
     

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